Windrider trembled in Lin Yu's hand like a dragon breaking free. He released it, and the sword shot out as a cyan light, vanishing hundreds of li away, hovering over the Qilian Mountains. Bound to Lin Yu's soul, the sword showed him the vast, towering range as if he were there.
"Return!" At Lin Yu's thought, the cyan light streaked back, entering through the door, circling him twice, then stopping blade-out before him—ready to be grasped.
"The Saint Emperor Sword Body is incredible! I just taught you the art, and you've mastered it. I thought it would take days—truly underestimated the Saint Emperor Sword Body," Lord Cauldron marveled. With this body, Lin Yu learned and mastered any sword art instantly, even peerless ones like Nine Heavens Sword Control.
"Thank you, Lord Cauldron," Lin Yu said sincerely. Without it, he might have rotted forgotten in the mausoleum.
"Don't thank me—we help each other." Lord Cauldron chuckled. "Test the art again. At your cultivation, you should reach three thousand li."
"Good!" Lin Yu smiled. "When I campaigned south, I saw a tea tree on Cangyun Ridge's cliff, absorbing sun and moon essence. Its leaves are fragrant and strengthen the soul, but hard to pick. Let Windrider fetch some."
Windrider shot off like a dragon, disappearing in an instant. Lin Yu's soul attached to the sword felt gale-force winds, land and rivers blurring. Moments later, Windrider returned, floating ten-odd fresh, dewy tea leaves. Their aroma filled the chamber, identical to his memory of Jue Ling Green Tea. Even the scent invigorated the mind.
A thought across three thousand li, round trip in an instant! With Nine Heavens Sword Control and Windrider, Lin Yu could face Myriad Transformations experts confidently.
...
In the imperial city, the Han Emperor was woken by a eunuch and rushed to the Royal Armory. Imperial guards and dark sentries lit the area with torches.
"Attendant Xu, Elder Chen, what happened to the armory?" The Han Emperor asked gravely.
"Your Majesty, all five Myriad Transformations flying swords are stolen. I failed in my duty—please punish me," Elder Chen said, ashamed.
"What?" The Han Emperor stared in disbelief. Elder Chen, Ninth Rank Innate, nearly Purple Mansion—who could steal five Myriad Transformations swords under his nose? Had Chen not guarded the armory for decades, he might suspect foul play.
"The swords vanished on my watch. I bear full responsibility," Elder Chen sighed, baffled.
"To steal undetected, the thief must far surpass Elder Chen. They took only flying swords—what does this mean?" Attendant Xu wondered.
"Wait!" The Han Emperor paled. "Could the thief be Ninth Uncle, the Prince Su?"
"Prince Su?" Xu and Chen exclaimed.
"Yes! Only Ninth Uncle could enter undetected. As a Myriad Transformations sword cultivator, he'd take only flying swords," the Han Emperor reasoned, relieved. "If Ninth Uncle took them, it's fine. He's the dynasty's pillar—he can use any armory treasure."
"Your Majesty, if it's Prince Su, why hasn't he shown himself?" Xu asked. Chen nodded; the prince had returned from Qilian Mountains but remained invisible.
"Ninth Uncle guards Han in secret. Spread word: Great Qi and Supreme Sword Sect pressure us to marry Chu Chu, losing a prodigy. Let them know Han has a Myriad Transformations guardian—they'll think twice," the Han Emperor said confidently. With the prince, he feared no alliance.
...
In the mausoleum, Chu Chu fretted as Lin Yu made tea. "Third Uncle, what if the Ninth Prince of Great Qi and Supreme Sword Sect arrive? If Grandfather agrees..."
Lin Yu pushed a cup of Jue Ling Green Tea over. "I hear Prince Su has returned as Myriad Transformations. With him, Grandfather won't marry you off. You're Han's prodigy—we'll find a consort to keep you in the capital."
Chu Chu sipped the tea, amazed. "This... it strengthens my soul! What tea is this?"
"Jue Ling Green Tea, from cliff tops. It boosts the soul, but the first cup is most effective," Lin Yu smiled. The tea no longer helped his soul, but he enjoyed the taste.
"Princess Ning Bing! Princess Ning Bing!" A panting messenger called outside.